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Tiger Woods may just be “glad” he is back on the fairways, but the big beast only has one thing on his mind this week: A 15th Major title at the US PGA Championship.
The former world No. 1 is eight months into his comeback following back surgery and is savouring every moment — 12 months ago it was widely assumed he would struggle to return to top-flight golf. But not only is the teeing it up with the best in the game, he is also challenging them for titles, in just six months he has gone from being outside the top 600 in the world to being back in the top 50.
And having led the Open at Carnoustie last month he now has the belief he can land a first Major since 2008.
“Just the fact I’m playing the tour again, just for me to be able to have this opportunity again, is a dream come true,” Woods said.
“I have said this many times this year, I didn’t know if I could do this again, and lo and behold, here I am.
“So just coming back and being able to play at this level and compete; I’ve had my share of chances to win this year as well and hopefully I’ll get it done this week.”
The challenge at the oldest Major was followed by a lackluster performance at last week’s World Golf Championship at Firestone, that suggested the 42-year-old still has some work to do if he is to finally get back into the winner’s enclosure. But the American ace is certainly all too aware of how times have changed and will to adapt to his new reality.
I know how to play the game of golf. It’s just what are my limitations going to be,” he said.
“And as the year has progressed, I’ve learned some of those things.
“Certainly, I can’t do what I used to do 10, 15 years ago, but I’m still able to hit the majority of my shots, and I’ve had to learn a golf swing that is restricted. I’ve never had a spinal restriction before, and I played all those years without it.
“Now, I’ve had a bum knee most of those years, but I could wheel it around that. But having a fixed point in my spine is very different.”
At the Bellerive Country Club Woods will play alongside Rory McIlroy and defending champion Justin Thomas. For McIlroy the return of the 14-time Major winner is nothing short of sensational.
“He had to learn how to move again. He had to learn how to swing. I mean, 18 months ago the guy couldn’t walk,” McIlroy said. “To get to this point is a phenomenal achievement already.
“If he could go ahead and win another major with his fifth golf swing, I mean, that’s unbelievable.”